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🪑 Here comes San Jose, with a chair

A casual fan’s guide to underground wrestling in San Jose
A female wrestler in green holds up a championship belt at the corner of a wrestling ring to an excited crowd.
Local wrestlers like Dark Sheik draw packed crowds for UGWA. | Photo courtesy Paul Ponte
Step into the ring, but watch out for the clothesline. Complex, interweaving storylines, characters, alliances + betrayals. The world of professional wrestling can seem daunting if you’re an outsider.

From kayfabe to heel-turns, San Jose’s underground wrestling scene has it all. And if you’re interested in learning the ropes, we spoke to Anthony Trevino, the bossman of the Underground Wrestling Alliance (UGWA), to craft a casual fan’s primer to all things wrestling in San Jose.

A wrestler in red and yellow spandex is slammed over another wrestler's knee, while a crowd cheers in the background.

The stories may be pre-written, but the stunts are all real.

|

Photo courtesy Paul Ponte

All are welcome here

While major federations often focus on more masculine-presenting performers, underground wrestling is significantly more diverse.

“We’re all like the island of misfit toys,” says Trevino. “We’re all inclusive, and have many transgender performers.”

In fact, one of UGWA’s announcers is Bay Area-based drag artist Pollo Del Mar. “We might be in a bit of a Bay Area bubble here, but I’m fine with it.”

Two wrestlers, one wearing a rainbow cobra symbol on his shirt, and the other wearing furs and sunglasses, stand at opposite sides of a drag queen.

UGWA features many LGBTQ+ wrestlers.

|

Photo courtesy Paul Ponte

What you need to bring

Aside from buying a ticket, you’ll want to be comfortable. “Wear something you don’t mind having something spilled on,” says Trevino. “Because that might happen. Come thirsty, don’t be shy, go respectfully wild.”

“The most important thing is to come with an open mind. Find a favorite wrestler, find one you dislike, and cheer and boo them on.”

Catch a match

If you’re interested in diving into the ring, UGWA’s first show of the year, “Shark Infested” will happen at Narrative Fermentations on Saturday, Jan. 6, 5-9 p.m.

Some of the performers you’ll see:
But is wrestling real?
Asked
 

What do you think of San Jose’s new speeding camera program?
 
 
Events
Friday, Jan. 5
  • Rachel Scanlon | Friday, Jan. 5-Sunday, Jan. 7 | Times vary | Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club, 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale | $25 | Enjoy comedy from this LA-based comedian, writer, and host of “Two Dykes and a Mic” podcast.
  • Polar Play Days | Friday, Jan. 5-Monday, Jan. 15 | Times vary | The Tech Interactive, 201 S. Market St., San Jose | $28-$34 | These STEM workshops include building ice hotels, creating snowmen with mushroom bricks, and catching special features in the IMAX Dome Theater.*
Saturday, Jan. 6
  • San Jose Sharks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 4 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $53.50-$506 | Cheer on Team Teal while supporting the newest Bay Area women’s soccer club, Bay FC.
  • Kavanaugh Brothers Celtic Experience | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Art Boutiki, 44 Race St., San Jose | $15-$20 | Rock to the boisterous mix of Irish folk and punk, with spirited bluegrass and folk-rock favorites in this prelude to St. Patrick’s Day.
  • Jade Catta-Preta | Saturday, Jan. 6 | Times vary | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $20-$70 |You may know this Brazillian-born comedian from E! Network’s “The Soup,” NBC’s “Modern Family,” and Hulu’s “Hotties.”
  • Trashy: A Night of Indie Sleaze | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 9 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $10-$15 | Enjoy a night of dancing to your favorite club bangers from yesteryear with Heavenly Arch and DJ Basura.
Sunday, Jan. 7
  • Oakridge Farmers Market | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Oakridge, 5420 Thornwood Dr., San Jose | Free | Get fresh produce, live entertainment, and more at this year-round market.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Eat

How to Thrive in the new year
picture of an opened cardboard box with a Thrive Market logo on it, surrounded by groceries and goods including black beans, avocado oil cooking spray, almond milk, probiotics, nut pods coffee creamer, beef jerky, rice, and chocolate bars.
Never wait in line at a supermarket again with a Thrive Market membership. | Photo by Thrive Market
Our suggestions on how to thrive in 2024:
  1. Try a new hobby.
  2. Find a fun way to move.
  3. Go organic with groceries.
And Thrive Market can help you out with No. 3.

For a limited time, join Thrive Market and get 30% off your purchase + a free gift up to $60, plus:
  • Access to wholesale pricing (products are up to 30% off traditional grocery stores)
  • Free two-day shipping with orders $49+
  • All organic or non-GMO food
  • Guaranteed price matching and more
Join Thrive Market
News Notes
Development
  • A new housing tower will be built in downtown’s SoFA district. The site will create 540 new residential units at 409 S. Second St. While there are no details on how many units will be affordable, the developers say they’ll break ground within the next few months. (The Mercury News)
Civic
  • You can shape the future landscape of San Jose. The city’s planning commission, historic landmark commission, and planning director hearings are being held throughout this month. The first planning commission hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 10. For more ways to get involved, check out our boards and commissions guide.
Feel Good
  • San Jose’s Independence and Oak Grove high schools have gone international. Following months of community fundraising efforts, the two school’s marching bands performed during the New Year’s Day parade in London. This is the district’s seventh trip to the UK for this performance.
Transit
State
  • Your PG&E rates are not the only costs on the rise. California’s Department of Insurance has approved a 20% rate increase for State Farm’s homeowner insurance. The insurance company says the increase is due to rising costs and risks. The increase goes into effect statewide on March 15. (NBC Bay Area)
Try This
  • The San Jose Museum of Art is hosting a First Friday community game night tonight. Starting at 6 p.m., museum-goers can get free admission to enjoy games from around the world, including Mahjong, Mancala, and Tic Tac Toe. There will also be local presenters, late-night bites + food.
Finance
Travel
Asked

🍔 Will Mini Gourmet reopen soon?

#Asked: When is Mini Gourmet reopening?
The Mini Gourmet's bright red sign, sporting the restaurant's menu options: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
After years of inactivity, the long-defunct restaurant is seeing signs of new life. | Photo by SJtoday staff
The Mini Gourmet unceremoniously closed in 2019 due to a fire. And though rumors have been spun online, the little corner lot at South Bascom and Moorpark avenues has been boarded up and fenced in for the past few years.

But when will the space reopen?

Let’s lay out what we know.
  • Within the past week, a new sign is advertising a generous reopening deal: a free cinnamon bun + coffee with purchase.
  • In October, one eagle-eyed Redditor noticed people working diligently on the building’s interior.
  • In that same thread, one comment speculated the space will become the new location of also-defunct restaurant Pho Saigon Dynasty (which used to exist across the street).
  • No official statement has been made regarding its reopening.
  • City documents do not indicate any new developments.
We’ll update the story as soon as we know more, but let us know if you’ve got any leads.
The Buy

The Buy 1.05.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Gregg
From the editor
A new speeding camera law in San Jose is definitely raising eyebrows locally. You can read more on the program here. What do you think? Will these cameras help improve traffic conditions? Let us know.
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